The parental united front builds a brick wall, with the children locked out on the other side. When you change that to a united family, an entirely different view of problem-solving and collaboration opens up. You are forced to confront your true needs and reasons behind a direction. When those are clear, then you work together as a united family–parents and children–against the problem, with a large opening to see fresh solutions that were outside our own narrow perspective. It is amazing how talking through an issue can help everyone gets their needs met.
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3 Comments | Posted in Attachment Parenting, Balance, Consensual Living, Equally Shared Parenting, Family Structure, Gentle Discipline, Parenting Philosophies, Responding With Sensitivity

True, tangles aren’t exactly a safety issue. Self-confidence and body boundaries are, though. What I learned from my daughter’s aversion to hair brushing.  Read More…

82 Comments | Posted in Body Image, Consensual Living, Family Safety, Healthy Living, Parenting Philosophies, Responding With Sensitivity

This week we asked you to share consensual living. Read more about respectful interactions in this week’s articles. Link up!  Read More…

4 Comments | Posted in Consensual Living, Parenting Philosophies, Wordless Wednesday

Both asking for and then dealing with help caring for my daughter have been spiritual lessons. As an attachment parent, sharing her care has taught me a great deal about parenting and about myself.  Read More…

3 Comments | Posted in Alternative Caregivers, Attachment Parenting, Balance, Consensual Living, Consistent Care, Equally Shared Parenting, Family Structure, Parenting Philosophies, Responding With Sensitivity, Work and Family

If you’ve experienced a renewed bout of separation anxiety with your preschooler, you probably understand how frustrating it can be to address. We recently went through this with our own (then) three year old, and I’d like to share some ideas that friends offered on how to gently respond.  Read More…

Leave a comment | Posted in Alternative Caregivers, Attachment Parenting, Balance, Consensual Living, Consistent Care, Parenting Philosophies, Responding With Sensitivity, Routines and Schedules, Work and Family

What potty learning all boiled down to was not that I was doing something wrong. . . it was that I was doing too much. When I finally realized my daughter didn’t need me to train her, she just needed time to learn, I let go and I let her get to know her body. Letting go and allowing my daughter to potty learn in her own time was one of the hardest things and best things I have ever done as a parent.  Read More…

14 Comments | Posted in Consensual Living, Parenting Philosophies, Responding With Sensitivity

Our world is ruled by competition and recognition. Determination and excellent reign supreme. But shining light on other characteristics can lead to a more cooperative and compassionate society.  Read More…

2 Comments | Posted in Attachment Parenting, Consensual Living, Gentle Discipline, Natural Learning, Parenting Philosophies, Playtime, Responding With Sensitivity

Our Ask the NP Mentor panel offers a parent suggestions on how to gently and firmly set boundaries for her toddler.  Read More…

3 Comments | Posted in Ask an NP Mentor, Balance, Consensual Living, Family Structure, Gentle Discipline, Responding With Sensitivity

Unschooling is one of those concepts you just don’t understand unless it clicks with you.  Read More…

Leave a comment | Posted in Consensual Living, Homeschooling, Natural Learning, Parenting Philosophies, Radical Unschooling

Our NPN Mentors give the parent of a one-year-old tips on how to gently handle screaming and biting.  Read More…

1 Comment | Posted in Ask an NP Mentor, Attachment Parenting, Consensual Living, Gentle Discipline, Parenting Philosophies, Responding With Sensitivity